Personalized virtual goods holiday or event calendar

ABSTRACT

A printed calendar, method and system for preparing the printed calendar, and system for redeeming virtual goods are provided herein. The printed calendar includes at least one form sheet having printed thereon one or more occurrences of time. The one or more occurrences of time being coupled with at least one viewing panel capable of hiding and revealing an image. The printed calendar further includes at least one back sheet having printed thereon at least one graphical representation associated with the one or more occurrences of time. The at least one graphical representation being aligned with the form sheet, such that, the graphical representation is visible through the at least one viewing panel coupled to the one or more occurrences of time. The at least one graphical representation representing a virtual good accessible to the selected recipient at one of the one or more occurrences of time.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A printed calendar and a system and method for preparing a printedcalendar are provided herein. The printed calendar has printed thereonoccurrences of time and representations of virtual goods. The printedcalendar may specifically be prepared by associating occurrences of timewith the virtual goods and a specific recipient, controlling access tovirtual goods based on occurrences of time, and representing theassociation between the virtual goods and the occurrences of time on theprinted calendar.

BACKGROUND

The virtual goods market is growing in popularity. The market forvirtual goods is estimated to be five billion dollars in Asia. Thegrowing United States market for virtual goods is expected to meet orexceed the Asian market. Virtual goods are available through socialmedia services, such as, web-based games and social networking websites.Examples of social media services include Neopets® brand virtual petcommunity, Webkinz™ brand stuffed toys and virtual children's world, andFacebook®brand social networking website.

Users of social media services have an account with the social mediaservice and each user may be identified by a user name and/orrepresentative image. Users can typically purchase virtual goods, suchas, in-game items, gadgets, or images via micro-payments (i.e.,financial transactions involving small sums of money). These virtualgoods may be purchased by a user for themselves, and/or a user maypurchase these virtual goods for other users as gifts.

Currently, virtual goods typically are given as gifts to other peoplevia electronic means provided by the social media service, oroccasionally via gift cards that include codes that can be redeemed forvirtual currency or items. However, many people would prefer to givegifts of a physical nature instead of virtual gifts, since virtual giftsare provided in an intangible form, and intangible gifts may not beconsidered a “real”gift. Thus, there is a need to bridge the gap betweenvirtual and physical goods by providing personalized physical giftshaving virtual goods associated therewith.

SUMMARY

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a system forpreparing a printed calendar. The system includes a calendar serverconnectable to at least one client device over a network. The calendarserver including: a receiver, a record module, a generator, and atransmitter. The receiver may be configured to receive a plurality ofcalendar parameters for generating the printed calendar. The calendarparameters including one or more occurrences of time, one or morevirtual goods, one or more selected recipients and at least onegraphical representation of the one or more virtual goods. The recordmodule may be configured to associate the plurality of calendarparameters with the printed calendar to enable the one or more selectedrecipients to access the one or more virtual goods at the one or moreoccurrences of time. The generator may be configured to prepare a set ofinstructions for generating the printed calendar. The set ofinstructions for generating the printed calendar including: at least oneform sheet having printed thereon one or more occurrences of time and atleast one back sheet having printed thereon the at least one graphicalrepresentation associated with the one or more occurrences of time. Theat least one graphical representation representing the one or morevirtual good accessible to a selected recipient at the one or moreoccurrences of time. The transmitter may be configured to transmit theset of instructions for generating the printed calendar to a calendargeneration device.

According to other aspects illustrated herein, there is provided amethod for preparing a printed calendar. The method includes thefollowing two steps. First, generating the printed calendar having atleast one form sheet and at least one back sheet. The at least one formsheet having printed thereon one or more occurrences of time. The one ormore occurrences of time being coupled with at least one viewing panelcapable of hiding and revealing an image. The at least one back sheethaving printed thereon at least one graphical representation associatedwith the one or more occurrences of time. The at least one graphicalrepresentation being aligned with the form sheet, such that, thegraphical representation is visible through the at least one viewingpanel coupled to the one or more occurrences of time. The at least onegraphical representation representing one or more virtual goodsaccessible to a selected recipient. Second, associating the one or moreoccurrences of time and the one or more virtual goods with the one ormore selected recipients.

According to further aspects illustrated herein, there is a provided asystem for redeeming one or more virtual goods. The system includes atleast one client device and a social media device connectable to the atleast one client device. The at least one client device is configuredfor use by one or more selected recipients of the one or more virtualgoods. The at least one client device is further connectable to anetwork. The social media device is connectable to the at least oneclient device through a network. The social media device is configuredto provide the one or more selected recipients with access to one ormore virtual goods at one or more occurrences of time. The one or morevirtual goods being associated with the one or more occurrences of timeand the one or more selected recipients, such that, redemption of eachthe one or more virtual goods may only occur at the one or moreoccurrences of time associated therewith.

According to yet further aspects illustrated herein, there is provided aprinted calendar. The printed calendar includes at least one form sheethaving printed thereon one or more occurrences of time. The one or moreoccurrences of time being coupled with at least one viewing panelcapable of hiding and revealing an image. The printed calendar furtherincludes at least one back sheet having printed thereon at least onegraphical representation associated with the one or more occurrences oftime. The at least one graphical representation being aligned with theform sheet, such that, the graphical representation is visible throughthe at least one viewing panel coupled to the one or more occurrences oftime. The at least one graphical representation representing one or morevirtual goods accessible to a selected recipient at one of the one ormore occurrences of time.

Additional features and advantages will be readily apparent from thefollowing detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and theclaims. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designedas an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of thedisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for creating a printed calendar.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method for use with the system of FIG. 1 forpreparing a printed calendar.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a printed calendar generated with thesystem and method of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 shows a computer system configured to perform the method of FIG.2.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A printed calendar, a system and method for preparing the printedcalendar, and a system for redeeming virtual goods associated with theprinted calendar are provided herein. The printed calendar bridges thegap between physical goods and virtual goods by: linking an account heldby a selected recipient (i.e., a social media account) with a virtualgood; associating occurrences of time and/or events with access to thevirtual goods; and representing the association between the occurrencesof time and/or event with virtual goods on a printed calendar that maybe personalized for the selected recipient.

As used herein, the phrase “virtual good(s)” refers to non-physicalobjects that are purchased for use in various online environments, suchas web-based communities, social networking websites, and online games.Virtual goods, by definition, are intangible. Virtual goods, may, forexample, include an electronic file stored in a database or other datastructure on a server. Examples include, but are not limited to, virtualpets, virtual clothing or accessories for avatars, virtual property,computer images, virtual game currency, and virtual game weapons.

As used herein, the phrase “virtual marketplace” refers to a virtuallocation where intangible or virtual goods are exchanged. For example,the virtual marketplace may be a website, and the website content (i.e.,files, web scripts, etc.) for the virtual marketplace may be stored on aserver.

As used herein the term “calendar” refers to a listing of occurrences oftime which may be presented as traditional and non-traditional yearly,monthly, weekly, or daily calendars; a countdown calendar; an event ormilestone calendar; and/or any combination of the above that providespecific dates, times, or events that may be definitively identified.The calendar may be a physical or virtual object. The occurrences oftime may be displayed on one or more sheets with each sheet referred toas a calendar sheet.

As used herein, the phrase “occurrence of time” refers to anyindications of time, such as, a date, an hour, a year, an event ormilestone, or any combination thereof.

As used herein, the phrase “printed calendar” refers to a physicalobject having specific occurrences of time printed thereon. The printedcalendar may represent each of the virtual goods associated with each ofthe occurrences of time using a graphical representation.

As used herein, the phrase “graphical representation” refers to animage, picture, text, symbol, or other object printed on a back sheet ofa printed calendar.

As used herein, the phrase “form sheet” refers to a top layer and/orfirst sheet of a calendar having the occurrences of time visible. Theform sheet includes a viewing panel for each of the occurrences that mayinclude a perforated opening or cut out section that enables hiding andrevealing of an image, code, and/or object thereunder. The form sheetmay also include additional images, text, and/or designs.

As used herein, the phrase “back sheet” refers to a bottom layer and/orsecond sheet of a calendar configured to hold or have printed thereon agraphical representation of a virtual good. The graphical representationof the virtual good is configured, such that, the representation of thevirtual good on the back sheet aligns with the associated occurrence oftime on the form sheet to enable viewing of the graphical representationthrough the viewing panel of the form sheet.

As used herein, the phrase “social networking service” or “socialnetworking website” refers to a service that builds and reflects onsocial networks or social relationships among users. The social networkmay, for example, be determined by schools attended, interests,activities, and/or geographic regions. Most social network services areweb based and provide a means for user interaction over the internet.Social networking services are usually individual-centered and allowusers to share ideas, activities, events, and interests with otherpeople within their individual network. Examples of social networkingwebsites include, but are not limited to: MySpace® brand socialnetworking website, Facebook® brand social networking website,LinkedIn®brand business oriented social networking website, Twitter®brand social networking and microblogging service, and Friendster® brandsocial networking website.

As used herein, the phrase “social media” includes services that provideweb based games and social networking websites. Social media may utilizeweb 2.0 technology or analogous technology that provides users with theability to create and exchange user-generated content over the web.Hence, social media is typically defined as enabling a blending oftechnology and social interaction. Examples of web based games include,Neopets® brand virtual pet community, Webkinz™ brand stuffed toys andvirtual children's world, Second Life® brand virtual world, EntropiaUniverse™brand massively multiplayer online virtual universe, and Worldof Warcraft® brand massively multiplayer online role-playing game.Examples of social networking websites include MySpace® brand socialnetworking website, Facebook® brand social networking website, LinkedIn®brand business oriented social networking website, Twitter® brand socialnetworking and microblogging service, and Friendster® brand socialnetworking website.

As used herein, the phrase “user identification” refers to a virtualcharacter, a user name and/or number, an email address, an avatar, animage, or other means for identifying a person through a social mediaservice.

As used herein, the phrase “selected recipient” refers specifically orgenerally to one or more person or groups of persons who are indicatedas being given access to a virtual good. The selected recipient maytypically be identified by a user identification that is used foraccessing a social media service.

With reference to FIG. 1, a system 10 for creating a printed calendar 20is provided herein. The system 10 may be configured to enable selection,ordering, and sending of personal gifts to a selected recipient who hasa personalized character and/or user identification on a social mediaservice, such as, a social networking and/or online gaming website.

The system may include a calendar server 30 that may be operativelyconnected to at least one social media server 35 and at least one clientdevice. The calendar server 30 may be configured to collect input fromthe at least one social media server 35 and/or the at least one clientdevice. The at least one social media server 35 may be configured toprovide the calendar server 30 with information relating to the selectedrecipients 44, the one or more virtual goods 72, and/or a calendargeneration device 80 for the purpose of configuring the associationsbetween the calendar parameters 140 and/or the account information 135.The at least one social media server 35 may further be configured to bea platform for the selected recipient 42 to access a social mediaservice and redeem, view, and/or use the one or more virtual goods 72provided with the printed calendar 20. The calendar server 30 isconnected to the social media server 35 and the at least one clientdevice via a network 50 in FIG. 1. However, as one skilled in the artwill appreciate, the calendar server 35 may also be directly connectedto the social media server 35 and/or the at least one client device (notshown).

As shown in FIG. 1, the at least one client device may include, twoclient devices, a giver client device 40 and a recipient client device43. The giver client device 40 being configured to enable a giver 41 toaccess the calendar server 30 to order the printed calendar. Therecipient client device 43 being configured to enable a selectedrecipient 40 to access the calendar server 30 and/or access a socialmedia server 35. Each client device may include, for example, a personalcomputer with an internet browser for use by the giver 41 or theselected recipient 42 to access the calendar server 30 and/or the socialmedia server 35.

The calendar server 30 may include an interface 90, a receiver 100, arecord module 110, a generator 120, and a transmitter 130. The calendarserver 30 may further include an account information database 135 thatcontains accounts for persons who prepare and/or order a printedcalendar 20 through the calendar server 30. As shown in FIG. 1, theinterface 90 may be operatively connected to the receiver 100; thereceiver 100, may be operatively connected to the record module 110; therecord module 110 may be operatively connected to the receiver 100 andthe generator 120; and the generator 120 may be operatively connected tothe record module 110 and the transmitter 130.

The interface 90 may be a user interface, such that, the interface 90may be configured to connect with the giver and/or receiver clientdevices 40, 43 and provide the giver and/or receiver client devices 40,43 with access to the calendar server 30 for entering and/or viewing thecalendar parameters 140. The interface 90 may be connected to thedatabases storing the calendar parameters 140 and account information135. The account information 135 may include the account holder's name,address, email address, phone number, payment method, credit card/bankaccount information, etc. obtained from the client devices 40, 43 andstored in a database of the account information 135 and/or provided tothe receiver 100. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, theinterface 90 may also be able to be used to view account information 135and/or any additional data stored on the calendar server 30, such as, acopy of the printed calendar 20 if the system is configured to providethe calendar server 30 with access to the printed calendar 20. Theinterface 90 may further be connected to the social media server 35 toreceive additional input for the calendar parameters 140 and/or theaccount information 135. Alternatively, the interface 90 may be aseparate device connected to the calendar server 30 and giver clientdevice 40 via the network 50 or a component of the giver client device40 (i.e., a software program).

The receiver 100 may be configured to receive requests for preparing andoptionally, accessing the printed calendar 20 and redeeming the one ormore virtual goods 72. In particular, the receiver 100 may receiveaccount information 135 and a plurality of calendar parameters 140 forgenerating and providing access to the printed calendar 20 from therespective databases and/or the interface 90. The calendar parameters140 may be stored in a database (shown in FIG. 1), or any data structureknown in the art, such that, the data may be searched and the accesspermissions determined based on the plurality of calendar parameters140. The calendar parameters 140 may be stored on the calendar server 30(shown in FIG. 1), or alternatively, stored on a separate serverconnected to the calendar server (not shown).

The plurality of calendar parameters 140 may include an occurrence oftime parameter 150, a virtual good identification parameter 155, aselected recipient identification parameter 160, a graphicalrepresentation identification parameter 165, a personalized imageidentification parameter 170, a calendar identification parameter 175,and a delivery type parameter 180. The occurrence of time parameter 150may represent the date, time, and event on the printed calendar 20 thattriggers the availability of the one or more virtual goods 72. Thevirtual good identification parameter 155 may represent the one or morevirtual goods 72 to be given to the selected recipient 42 at aparticular occurrence of time on the printed calendar 20. The selectedrecipient identification parameter 160 may represent the selectedrecipient 42 of the printed calendar 20. The one graphicalrepresentation identification parameter 165 may represent the one ormore virtual goods 72 accessible to the selected recipient 42 at aparticular occurrence of time. The personalized image identificationparameter 170 may represent an image to be printed on the printedcalendar 20 (i.e., on the top or bottom of the form sheet). The calendaridentification parameter 175 may represent a particular printed calendar20 being prepared and/or generated. The delivery type parameter 180 mayrepresent how and/or where the printing and/or shipping of the printedcalendar 20 occurs.

The record module 110 may be configured to associate the plurality ofcalendar parameters 140 and account information 135 with the printedcalendar 20, such that, a selected recipient 42, may be given access tothe one or more virtual goods 72 at the occurrence of time indicated onthe printed calendar 20. Specifically, the record module 110 performsthe associations by creating a linking structure between the pluralityof calendar parameters 140 and/or account information 135. The linkingstructure may include linking the selected recipient identificationparameter 160 to the occurrence of time parameter 150, the virtual goodidentification parameter 155, the graphical representationidentification parameter 165, the personalized image identificationparameter 170, the calendar identification parameter 175, and/or thedelivery type parameter 180, such that, the printed calendar 20, with agraphical representation of the one or more virtual goods 72 printedthereon, may be delivered to the selected recipient 42. The linkingstructure may further provide a printed calendar, such that, the virtualgoods 72 may be accessible to the selected recipient 42 at the timedesignated by the occurrence of time parameter 150. The record module110 may further link the personalized image identification parameter 170with the above calendar parameters 140, such that, the personalizedimage represented by the personalized image identification parameter 170is also displayed and/or printed on the printed calendar 20.

As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the manner in which therecord module 110 associates the plurality of calendar parameters 140with the printed calendar 20 may vary depending on the data structureused to collect and store the plurality of calendar parameters 140and/or the hardware and/or software components of the system 10. Forexample, the linking structure may link an electronic account held bythe selected recipient 42 (indicated by the selected recipientidentification parameter 160) to the virtual good identificationparameter 155 based on the virtual good identification parameter 155 andthe occurrences of time parameter 150.

The generator 120 may be configured to prepare a set of instructions 122for generating the printed calendar 20 based on the linking structurecreated in the record module 110. The set of instructions 122 may bestored in a database or another data storage device, as may beappreciated by one skilled in the art. The set of instructions 122 mayinclude computer executable instructions, that when executed by acomputing device, cause the computing device to generate a printedcalendar 20. The printed calendar 20 generated may include: (1) a formsheet having printed thereon occurrences of time as specified in theoccurrence of time parameter 150; and (2) a back sheet having printedthereon a graphical representation of the one or more virtual goods 72associated with the occurrence of time for each of the occurrences oftime as specified in the one graphical representation identificationparameter 165. Similar to the record module 110, the configuration ofthe generator 120 may vary depending on the data structures, thehardware, and/or the software used in conjunction with the preparationof the set of instructions 122.

The transmitter 130 may receive the set of instructions 122 forgenerating the printed calendar 20 from the generator 120 and may beconfigured to transmit the set of instructions 122 to a calendargeneration device 80. The calendar generation device 80 may be directlyconnected to the transmitter 130 and/or calendar server 30 (not shown);located on a separate server (i.e., shown in FIG. 1 as part of thesocial media server 35); or located on an entirely different serverconnected to the calendar server 30, via the network 50 (not shown). Thecalendar generation device 80 may alternatively be part of a softwarepackage run on a client device (i.e., the giver client device 40),and/or a software and/or hardware component of the social media device60 or the virtual marketplace device 70. As one skilled in the art willappreciate, the set of instructions 122 may be transmitted in variousways from the transmitter 130 to the generation device 80, such as,directly (not shown) or through a network 50 (shown in FIG. 1).

After the printed calendar 20 is generated and delivered to the selectedrecipient 42, the selected recipient 42 may access the one or morevirtual goods 72 that have been associated with the printed calendar 20in accordance with the one or more occurrences of time associatedtherewith. As shown in FIG. 1, the system in operation may include theselected recipient 42 accessing the social media server 35 through therecipient client device 43 that is connected to the network 50. Note,that FIG. 1 shows two client devices for the giver 41 and the selectedrecipient 42; however, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, thesame client device 40, 43 may be used by both the giver 41 and theselected recipient 42. In fact, the giver 41 and the selected recipient42 could in theory be the same person. For illustrative purpose, thegiver 41 and the selected recipient 42 are shown and described asdifferent people on different client devices (i.e., giver client device40, recipient client device 43).

The at least one social media server 35, as shown in FIG. 1, may includea social media device 60, a virtual marketplace device 70, and acalendar generation device 80, each being located on one server. As oneskilled in the art will appreciate, each of the social media device 60,the virtual marketplace device 70, and the calendar generation device 80may be located on separate servers (not shown) or each may be groupedinto multiple servers using various combinations (not shown). Moreover,one or more of the social media device 60, the virtual marketplacedevice 70, and calendar generation device 80 may be configured to bedirectly attached to or located within the calendar server 30 (notshown).

As shown in FIG. 1, the social media device 60 may be operativelyconnected to the calendar server 30 and/or the recipient client device43 and the giver client device 40 through the network 50. The calendarserver 30 and the social media device 60 may be capable of communicatingby transferring of signals between the interface 90 and the social mediadevice 60, such that, the interface can access information regarding theselected recipient's account from the social media device 60, includingrecipient data from the recipients database 44. The information from thesocial media device 60 may be stored in a database and/or used in therecord module 110 to link the plurality calendar parameters 140.Examples of information that may be obtained from the social mediadevice 60 includes: the selected recipient's user identification (i.e.,user name, email address, etc.) and/or a link to the selectedrecipient's social media account; the selected recipient's avatar; andthe selected recipient's interests, preferences, and/or wish lists. Thesocial media device 60 may further communicate with the calendar server30 to display the printed calendar 20 or an electronic replica thereof,and/or provide additional notifications to the selected recipient 42.

The social media device 60 may further be configured to provide andcontrol the selected recipient's access to the one or more virtual goods72 in accordance with the set of instructions transmitted from thecalendar server 30. For example, the selected recipient 42 may beprovided with access to the one or more virtual goods 72 at the one ormore occurrences of time associated with each of the one or more virtualgoods 72. Each of the one or more virtual goods 72 associated with theone or more occurrences of time may be represented on a calendar 20 by agraphical representation of the one or more virtual goods 72. Suchaccess may be provided after the social media device 60 receives aselected recipient's entered code that matches the code provided on thecalendar 20. Alternatively, the social media device 60 may automaticallyprovide the selected recipient 42 with access to the one or more virtualgoods 72 when the selected recipient 42 associated with an electronicaccount logs into the social media device 40, i.e., a Facebook® account.The calendar 20 may represent the one or more virtual goods 72associated with each of the one or more occurrences of time, with atleast one graphical representation.

The virtual marketplace device 70 may be connected to the social mediadevice 60, as shown in FIG. 1. The virtual marketplace device 70 may beconfigured to store the one or more virtual goods 72 available forredemption by the selected recipient 42 at the one or more occurrencesof time. The virtual marketplace device 70 is shown as an independentdevice connected to the social media device 60; however, the virtualmarketplace device 70 may, alternatively, be a component of a socialmedia device 60 (not shown).

The virtual marketplace device 70 may also be operatively connected tothe calendar server 30, such that, the calendar server 30 may access thevirtual marketplace device 70 to receive one or more of the plurality ofcalendar parameters 140, such as, the virtual good identificationparameter 155, the selected recipient identification parameter 160,and/or the at least one graphical representation identificationparameter 165 of the virtual good identification parameter 155.

As discussed above, the calendar generation device 80 may be a componentof the social media server 35 directly connected to the social mediadevice 60, as shown in FIG. 1. The calendar generation device 80 may beconfigured to generate the printed calendar 20 according to the set ofinstructions 122 transmitted from the transmitter 130. The calendargeneration device 80 may further be configured to provide the selectedrecipient 42 through the recipient client device 43 with a notificationsof the availability of the one or more virtual goods 72. The printedcalendar 20 may be printed using a printing device 86 and sent via mailto the selected recipient 42 and/or it may alternatively be sentelectronically, such as, email, or messaging service within the socialmedia device 60. The print device 86 may further be configured to sendthe printed calendar 20 via the mail and/or electronically. Furthermore,a storage device 90 may be operatively connected to the calendargeneration device 80 and may be configured to store one or more of thefollowing: the set of instructions 122, a viewable version of theprinted calendar 20, information about the selected recipient 42 (i.e.,selected recipient identification parameter 160), calendaridentification information (i.e., calendar identification parameter175), and/or any intermediate data created to generate the printedcalendar 20.

The system 10 may further include an access controller 46 configured todetermine and control access to the one or more virtual goods 72 basedon the one or more occurrences of time parameter 150 and the selectedrecipient identification parameter 160. The access controller 46, asshown in FIG. 1, is a component of the social media device 60. However,as one skilled in the art will appreciate, the access controller 46 maybe a separate device within the social media server 35 and/or anindependent device outside the social media sever 35, but connected tothe social media server 35.

FIG. 2 provides a method 200 for preparing a print calendar 20. Themethod 200 may be used with the system 10 of FIG. 1. The method 200first generates the printed calendar in step 210. The printed calendars20 having at least one form sheet having printed thereon one or moreoccurrences of time and at least one back sheet. The at least one backsheet having printed thereon at least one graphical representationassociated with the one or more occurrences of time. The at least onegraphical representation representing one or more virtual goods 72accessible to a selected recipient at the one or more occurrences oftime. Second, in step 220, the method 200 associates the one or moreoccurrences of time with the one or more virtual goods 72 and theselected recipient 42.

The at least one graphical representation may be one or more of an imageor a code, or any other object representing the one or more virtualgoods 72. The printed calendar 20 may further be personalized to includeadditional pictures, images, text, and/or objects for the selectedrecipient 42. Examples include a picture of the selected recipient 42,the selected recipient's name or initials, images of the selectedrecipient's avatar, images of a selected recipient's virtual pet, and/orany other designs or online representations. As one skilled in the artmay appreciate, the printed calendar 20 may be personalized in variousways that may only be limited by the hardware and/or software of thesystem.

The printed calendar 20 may further be associated with a calendar server30 on a computer network 50, as discussed with regards to FIG. 1. Thecalendar server 30 may be configured to determine access to the one ormore virtual goods 72 by associating the selected recipient 42 with theone or more virtual goods 72. The one or more virtual goods 72 may beaccessible to the selected recipient 42 at a predefined time perioddetermined by the occurrence of time, and the one or more virtual goods72 may be accessible in one or more of the following manners: after thesocial media device 60 receives a selected recipient entered code thatmatches the code provided on the printed calendar 20 (i.e., similar tohow funds are accessed from a gift card) and/or automatically providedto the user during a predefined time period associated with the receivedcalendar parameter 140 for the one or more occurrences of time uponaccessing a social media service associated with the selected recipient42. For example, the received calendar parameter 140 for the selectedrecipient identification parameter 160 may be associated with thevirtual good identification parameter 155 and the one or moreoccurrences of time parameter 150 by linking an electronic account heldby the selected recipient 42 to the one or more virtual goods 72.

As shown and described with reference to FIG. 3, the printed calendar 20may be, for example, a personalized Advent calendar 300 used as amechanism to give the one or more virtual goods 72 to a user (or theselected recipient 42) of an online game or other social media service.Personalized Advent calendars are a mechanism to count down from thefirst (1^(st)) of December to Christmas Eve on the twenty-fourth(24^(th)) of December. Personalized Advent calendars typically have acolorful Christmas themed image, which includes 24 flaps, labeled 1 to24. One flap may be opened each day, revealing a hidden image, or agift, such as, chocolate or other small gifts.

The personalized Advent calendar 300 may include at least one form sheet310 having printed thereon one or more occurrences of time 320, shown inFIG. 3 as a traditional calendar format. However, as one skilled in theart will appreciate, the format of the calendar could benon-traditional. For example, the personalized Advent calendar 300 mayhave a Christmas scene printed on the form sheet 310 with theoccurrences of time 320 (dates) printed in any pattern and/or order onthe form sheet 310, such as, in a circle (not shown) instead of atraditional row and column arrangement (shown in FIG. 3).

The personalized Advent calendar 300 may further include at least oneback sheet 330 having printed thereon at least one graphicalrepresentation 340 associated with the one or more occurrences of time320. The at least one graphical representation 340 representing the oneor more virtual goods 72 accessible to a selected recipient at one ofthe one or more occurrences of time 320. The at least one graphicalrepresentation 340 may be one or more of a picture or a code, or anycombinations of text, symbols, and/or objects, as one skilled in the artwill appreciate.

The personalized Advent calendar 300 may further be personalized toinclude additional pictures, images, text, symbols and/or objects.Examples include a picture of the selected recipient 42, the selectedrecipient's name or initials, and/or any other designs. As one skilledin the art may appreciate, the personalized Advent calendar 300 may bepersonalized in various ways that may only be limited by the hardwareand/or software of the system.

In preparing the personalized Advent calendar 300, a giver 41 specifiesa recipient (selected recipient 42) and chooses the one or more virtualgoods 72 to include in the printed calendar 20 at specified occurrencesof time 320, which in this example include each day between the first(1^(st)) of December and the twenty-fourth (24^(th)) of December. Thegiver 41 may also include personalized images 350 displaying art workfrom the social media device 60, including a theme of the calendar orsome component specific to the selected recipient 42, such as, anavatar, virtual pet, or virtual house. FIG. 3 shows personalized images350, the selected recipient's avatar 352, and text 354 representing theselected recipient's name. Each flap of the form sheet 310 of thepersonalized Advent calendar 300 reveals one of the one or moregraphical representations 340 of the one or more virtual goods 72 (e.g.,virtual gifts).

The personalized Advent calendar 300 may further be associated with acalendar server 30 on a computer network 50, as discussed with regardsto FIG. 1. The calendar server 30 may be configured to designate accessto the one or more virtual goods 72 by associating the selectedrecipient 42 to the one or more virtual goods 72. The one or morevirtual goods 72 may be accessible to the selected recipient 42 in oneor more of the following manners: after the social media device 60receives a selected recipient entered code that matches the codeprovided on the personalized Advent calendar 300 and/or automaticallyprovided to the user during a predefined time period associated with thereceived calendar parameter 140 for the one or more occurrences of timeupon accessing a social media service associated with the selectedrecipient 42.

In operation, the system 30 and method 200 provided herein may beutilized to prepare a printed calendar 20, such as, the personalizedAdvent calendar 300 as follows. First, the calendar server 30 connectswith a client device, i.e., the giver client device 40. The giver 41 maynot be required to be a member of the social media service, but needonly know the username and/or other identifying credentials of theselected recipient 42. Next, the interface 90 communicates with thegiver client device 40 to collect data relating to the preparation ofthe printed calendar. The data collected may include information for theplurality of calendar parameters 140 and/or account information relatingto the giver 41 and/or the selected recipient 42. The collected data maybe stored in data structures, such as, databases and/or sent to thereceiver 100.

For example, data collected with regards to the selected recipient 42may include the selected recipient's email address being received by theinterface. Additionally, the data collected related to the one or morevirtual goods 72 may, for example, include the items selected by thegiver 41 from a catalog of virtual items or bundles of items, which maybe accessed by the calendar server 30 from a virtual marketplace 70. Thecatalog may be connected to a social media service and may further beconnected to a selected recipient's wish list containing a compilationof the selected recipient's desired items. The data collected mayfurther be related to the design of the printed calendar 20. The giver41 may be provided with a set of pre-defined calendar templates tochoose from. The calendar templates may include a generic set oftemplates, and the templates may be personalized with images and/ordesigns based on the social media service's art work, and designs and/orimages specific to the selected recipient 42, such as, an avatar orvirtual pet 352.

Moreover, the calendar templates may include the calendar form sheet 310and back sheet 330, as provided in FIG. 3. The form sheet 310 includespredefined areas corresponding to the flaps for each day and the backsheet 330 of the printed calendar 300 provides the option to be filledin with images or graphical depictions 340 representing the one or morevirtual goods 72 selected. The design of the form sheet 310 and backsheet 330 in addition to the images printed thereon, all may be based ontemplates and/or customized. The information related to the templatesand customization may be collected by the interface 90 and stored indata structures, such as, databases.

The data that may be collected by the interface 90 may further includepayment information. The giver 41 may then pay for the printed calendar300, including the cost of printing, shipping, delivery, and the one ormore virtual goods 72 using a credit card. For example, the payment maybe made via the calendar server, i.e., the interface obtains and storespayment information in the account information database 135. As oneskilled in the art will appreciate, the payment may also be made via thesocial media device 60, the virtual marketplace device 70, the calendargeneration device 80, or a specialized payment device.

After the data is collected, the data may be sent to the receiver 100,which sends the data to the record module 110. The record module 110associates the data, including the plurality of calendar parameters 140and the account information 135, with the printed calendar 20 beingprepared to provide the selected recipient 42 with the one or morevirtual goods 72 at a the defined occurrences of time. The associationfurther includes providing the selected recipient with the ability toview the at least one graphical representation 340 of the one or morevirtual goods 72 on the printed calendar 20. Then, the data andassociations from the record module 110 used to generate a set ofinstructions 122 for generating the printed calendar 20, such as, thepersonalized Advent calendar 300 of FIG. 3. The set of instructionsgenerated may subsequently be transmitted through the transmitter 130 toa generation device (i.e., calendar generation device 80) for printingand distribution to the selected recipient 42. The personalized Adventcalendar 300 may also be configured, such that, the giver 41 is given anoption to print the pieces of the calendar and assemble the personalizedAdvent calendar 300 himself/herself using an electronic form, suitablefor printing of the personalized Advent calendar 300.

The personalized Advent calendar 300, as shown in FIG. 3, is designed,such that, as the selected recipient 42 opens a flap 360 of the formsheet 310 each day (i.e., each of the one or more occurrences of time320), the one or more virtual goods 72 may be accessed by the selectedrecipient (a) logging into the social media service and automaticallyreceiving the one or more virtual goods 72 or (b) logging into thesocial media service and entering a code (not shown) printed on theinside of the flap 360 of the form sheet 310 of the personalized Adventcalendar 300 to receive the one or more virtual goods 72. The code mayinclude, for example, numeric codes, Uniform Resource Locators (URLs),and Quick Response two-dimensional barcodes (QR codes). As one skilledin the art will appreciate, after accessing the one or more virtualgoods 72, the selected recipient 42 may be allowed to trade the one ormore virtual goods 72 with other members of the social media service inaccordance with the configuration of the social media service.

The benefit of creating the printed calendar 20 provided herein,includes the perception of many that giving a gift consisting of theprinted calendar 20 with the associated the one or more virtual goods 72may be more valuable giving an intangible gift, since the printedcalendar 20 is a physical object. Moreover, the printed calendar 20 maybe personalized, further enabling a giver 41 to provide a memorable giftthat is more than an intangible good. Examples of other printedcalendars 20 include calendars for holidays or events, countdowncalendars, and daily calendars.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a general computer system 400. The computersystem 400 can include a set of instructions that can be executed tocause the computer system 400 to perform any one or more of the methodsor computer based functions disclosed herein with respect to FIGS. 1-3.The computer system 400, or any portion thereof, may operate as astandalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network 460, toother computer systems or devices disclosed herein with respect to FIGS.1-3. For example, the computer system 400 may include or be includedwithin any one or more of the systems, networks, hosts, routers,servers, proxy devices, or any other devices disclosed herein withrespect to FIGS. 1-3.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 400 may operate in thecapacity of a server or a client machine in a server-client networkenvironment, or a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment. The computer system 400 can also be implemented asor incorporated into various devices, such as a personal computer (PC),a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a web appliance, acommunications device, a mobile device, a wireless telephone, a controlsystem, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capableof executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) thatspecify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while a singlecomputer system 400 is illustrated, the term “system” shall also betaken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems thatindividually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructionsto perform one or more computer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the computer system 400 may include aprocessor 405, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), agraphics-processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system400 can include a main memory 410 and a static memory 415 that cancommunicate with each other via a bus 465. As shown, the computer system400 may further include a video display unit 425, such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flatpanel display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT).Additionally, the computer system 400 may include an input device 430,such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device 435, such as a mouse.The computer system 400 can also include a disk drive unit 440, a signalgeneration device 455, such as a speaker or remote control, and anetwork interface device 420.

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 4, the disk drive unit440 may include a machine or computer-readable medium 445 in which oneor more sets of instructions 450 (e.g., software) can be embedded.Further, the instructions 450 may embody one or more of the methods orlogic as described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-3. In a particularembodiment, the instructions 450 may reside completely, or at leastpartially, within the main memory 410, the static memory 415, and/orwithin the processor 405 during execution by the computer system 400.The main memory 410 and the processor 405 also may includecomputer-readable media.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with the various embodiments, the methods described hereinmay be implemented by software programs that are tangibly embodied in aprocessor-readable medium and that may be executed by a processor.Further, in an example, non-limited embodiment, implementations caninclude distributed processing, component/object distributed processing,and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer systemprocessing can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods orfunctionality as described herein.

While the machine-readable medium 445 is shown to be a single medium,the term “machine-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“machine-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, example embodiment, the machine-readablemedium 445 can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card orother package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories.Further, the machine-readable medium 445 can be a random access memoryor other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the machine-readablemedium 445 can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as adisk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signalssuch as a signal communicated over a transmission medium. A digital fileattachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive orset of archives may be considered a distribution medium that isequivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure isconsidered to include any one or more of a machine-readable medium 445or a distribution medium and other equivalents and successor media, inwhich data or instructions may be stored.

In accordance with various embodiments, the methods described herein maybe implemented as one or more software programs running on a computerprocessor. Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limitedto, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Furthermore, alternative softwareimplementations including, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

It should also be noted that software which implements the disclosedmethods may optionally be stored on a tangible storage medium, such as:a magnetic medium, such as a disk or tape; a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk; or a solid state medium, such as a memory cardor other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories. A digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include a tangible storage medium ordistribution medium as listed herein and other equivalents and successormedia, in which the software implementations herein may be stored.

It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternative thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems or applications. Variouspresently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications,variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by thoseskilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by thefollowing claims. In addition, the claims can encompass embodiments inhardware, software, or a combination thereof.

1. A system for preparing a calendar comprising: a calendar serverconnectable to at least one client device over a network, said calendarserver including: a receiver configured to receive a plurality ofcalendar parameters for generating the calendar, said calendarparameters including one or more interrelated sets of occurrences oftime, one or more virtual goods, and one or more selected recipients; arecord module configured to associate said plurality of calendarparameters with the calendar to enable said one or more selectedrecipients to access said one or more virtual goods at said one or moreoccurrences of time; a generator configured to prepare a set ofinstructions for generating the calendar, said calendar having one ormore sheets with said one or more interrelated sets of occurrences oftime printed thereon, said one or more interrelated sets of occurrencesof time being associated with one or more of said virtual goods and saidone or more selected recipients; and a transmitter configured totransmit said set of instructions for generating the calendar to acalendar generation device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein saidrecord module associates said one or more interrelated sets ofoccurrences of time with said one or more virtual goods and one or moreof the following: said one or more selected recipients, said at leastone graphical representation of said one or more virtual goods, and atleast one personalized image.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein saidreceiver of said calendar server receives requests for accessing saidcalendar and for redeeming said one or more virtual goods.
 4. The systemof claim 1, further including a social media device connected to saidcalendar server and configured to provide said one or more selectedrecipients with access to the calendar.
 5. The system of claim 4,further including a virtual marketplace device connected to saidcalendar server and configured to store said one or more virtual goodsavailable for association with said one or more interrelated sets ofoccurrences of time.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said virtualmarketplace device is connected to a social media device.
 7. The systemof claim 1, wherein said one or more selected recipients are associatedwith said one or more virtual goods and said one or more interrelatedsets of occurrences of time by linking an electronic account held bysaid one or more selected recipients to said one or more virtual goods.8. The system of claim 1, wherein said calendar parameters furtherinclude at least one graphical representation of said one or morevirtual goods.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein said record module isfurther configured to enable said one or more selected recipients toview said at least one graphical representation of said one or morevirtual goods on the calendar.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein saidset of instructions for generating the calendar prepared by saidgenerator further include said one or more sheets having printed thereonsaid at least one graphical representation associated with said one ormore interrelated sets of occurrences of time, said at least onegraphical representation representing said one or more virtual goodsaccessible to a selected recipient at said one or more interrelated setsof occurrences of time.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein said one ormore sheets include a form sheet and back sheet, said at least one formsheet having printed thereon one or more interrelated sets ofoccurrences of time, said one or more interrelated sets of occurrencesof time being coupled with at least one viewing panel, said at least oneviewing panel capable of hiding and revealing an image, and said atleast one back sheet having at least one graphical representationassociated with said one or more interrelated sets of occurrences oftime, said at least one graphical representation being aligned with saidform sheet, such that, said graphical representation is visible throughsaid at least one viewing panel coupled to said one or more interrelatedsets of occurrences of time, said at least one graphical representationrepresenting said one or more virtual goods accessible to a selectedrecipient at one of said one or more interrelated sets of occurrences oftime.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one client deviceincludes a giver client device and a receiver client device.
 13. Amethod of preparing a printed calendar comprising: generating saidprinted calendar, said printed calendar comprising: one or more sheetshaving printed thereon one or more interrelated sets of occurrences oftime and at least one graphical representation associated with said oneor more interrelated sets of occurrences of time, said at least onegraphical representation representing one or more virtual goodsaccessible to one or more selected recipient at said one or moreinterrelated sets of occurrences of time; and associating said one ormore interrelated sets of occurrences of time with said one or morevirtual goods and said one or more selected recipient.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, further comprising associating said calendar with a calendarserver on a computer network, said calendar server configured toassociate said one or more interrelated sets of occurrences of time withsaid at least one graphical representation, said one or more virtualgoods, and said one or more selected recipients.
 15. The method of claim14, further comprising associating, with said calendar server, said oneor more virtual goods with said one or more interrelated sets ofoccurrences of time, such that, said one or more selected recipients mayaccess said one or more virtual goods at a predefined time perioddetermined by said one or more interrelated sets of occurrences of time.16. The method of claim 13, wherein said one or more interrelated setsof occurrences of time are associated with said one or more virtualgoods and said one or more selected recipients by linking an electronicaccount held by said one or more selected recipients to said one or morevirtual goods.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein said one or moresheets include a form sheet and a back sheet, said at least one formsheet, said at least one form sheet having printed thereon one or moreinterrelated sets of occurrences of time, said one or more interrelatedsets of occurrences of time being coupled with at least one viewingpanel, said at least one viewing panel capable of hiding and revealingan image, and said at least one back sheet having at least one graphicalrepresentation associated with said one or more interrelated sets ofoccurrences of time, said at least one graphical representation beingaligned with said form sheet, such that, said graphical representationis visible through said at least one viewing panel coupled to said oneor more interrelated sets of occurrences of time, said at least onegraphical representation representing said one or more virtual goodsaccessible to a selected recipient at one of said one or moreinterrelated sets of occurrences of time.